Bacteria and viruses - the basis of the microworld

12 August, 2017

According to K. Woese, all living beings are divided into multiple domains.They are three: bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes.Viruses are considered to be without rank category.The fact that not all scientists refer to this group of beings living world.But the majority, as well as the creator of the hypothesis of an RNA world, tends to group viruses in a separate domain.This is despite the fact that bacteria and viruses have the smallest size among other things, and simply constructed.

question of the origin of viruses and bacteria remains open.There is not even an accurate representation, some of these groups appeared before.It is logical to assume that viruses and bacteria have to have a common ancestor, and at least the unity of origin.On the first of these judgments were based theory.But a detailed study of these organisms has led to the conclusion that the differences between viruses from bacteria more significant than previously thought.

difference viruses from bacteria

most important of these differences is the way of life that bacteria and viruses are completely different.First, despite the simplicity of your device are separate beings.Even if they live in cells.How to do it, such as chlamydia.Viruses outside the cell have no biological activity.They do not have any elementary bodies for metabolism.Each virus particle consists of two elements.This gene (it is represented by one or two strands of ribonucleic acid) and the protein coat.For some there is an extra on top of the capsid shell.

All viruses, depending on whether they ribonucleic acid has divided into two large groups: RNA- and DNA-containing.

The shape of viruses may be several options.

icosahedron.

phages.

octahedra.

helically.

The size of bacteria and viruses are quite different.If the first size is measured in units of micrometers and hundreds, the greatest virus does not longer 1300-1400 nanometers.Thus, greatest virus smaller than the smallest bacteria.

pathogenic viruses depends on the ability to penetrate certain cells.

Whereas for the existence of bacteria, a combination of protection from aggression and the ability of the microorganism to a rapid increase in the number and form colonies.In other words, the most important for the bacteria to "win" a certain living space for existence.

Accordingly, bacteria and viruses have a different sensitivity to the drugs designed to eliminate them.As the most effective antiviral drugs have interferons and their analogs.To combat the bacteria used antibiotics that do not act on viruses.

entire life cycle of viruses can be described in several stages.Initially, the particle enters the cell.After that, the viral genome integrates into the cell genome.Last begins to produce copies of the virus and cell organelles are switched own metabolism to create shells for these genomes.Then the virus particles out of the cell, and it all starts again.